“Let’s break up.” Minyoung stared into my eyes, her voice emotionless. “We have no more reason to be together.”

I didn’t know how to react. I would have begged, pleaded for her to stay, kneeled, anything… Anything at all – just for her to stay, to take back those words. But nothing came out from my mouth. It hurt so much I couldn’t speak.

“I’m sorry, oppa.” Her trembling voice and quivering lips betrayed her. “We have our own lives now. We don’t have time for each other.”

I could tell she was hurting too, but I was too useless. I didn’t know how to ease her pain. I couldn’t give her what she needed. I could barely even pay for my own expenditures.

“Ah.” It was all I managed to force out. “I know.”

“Oppa, this teddy bear… Keep it. When you are troubled, just talk to it.” She held out a big, cuddly bear whose face was bigger than mine. “It will help you. Promise me you’ll take care of it, okay?”

I was surprised and sad and hesitant all at once. Emotions churned through me. I wanted to just grab her hand and run off with her somewhere, but I couldn’t. I was surprised, too, as Minyoung was never one for cute and fluffy things. She was quiet and gentle by nature, and was mostly rather serious. I was at loss of what to do, so I just took the bear and left. The very least I could do was not to let her see me cry.

~~~~~~~

I strode out of the room and slammed the door, shoulders stiff. Why couldn’t the manager be more understanding? I am supposed to be home by my grandmother’s side. She doesn’t have much time left